Are the things you eat linked to cancer?

Discover how these foods could affect your health

Another challenge with trans fats is that people consume them rather than consuming other, healthier foods. This can open the door to a variety of cancer-inducing problems.

Consumers should also be aware that some companies get away with declaring their products to be "trans fat free" by simply lowering the serving size on the label. Unfortunately, many people think they are safe, but they do not necessarily follow the serving size.

As mentioned, the challenge with cancer is figuring out if certain substances actually do lead to cancer or if there is something else going on. Some researchers suggest something called sodium nitrite may play a role.

Sodium nitrite provides color and appearance to certain foods, such as processed meat, bacon and hot dogs. When combined with amines in protein-rich food, sodium nitrite can turn into the carcinogen nitrosamine, according to Science Daily.

That connection led to the Cancer Prevention Coalition recommending that children not eat more than 12 hot dogs per month because of the risk.

However, most experts have downplayed the risk, saying that humans can absorb a certain amount of sodium nitrite without it leading directly to cancer. And strict regulation of cured meats, as well as the required addition of antioxidants, helps minimize the risk.

But while you're probably OK in moderation, cutting down on bacon and hot dogs is probably a good strategy for a variety of other health reasons anyway.

Now, with that out of the way, who's up for some baking?

No. 1: White flour

White flour doesn't seem like such a nasty substance, but researchers are continuing to warn consumers about the side effects of eating too many products made with white, refined flour.

The problem with flour is similar to the problem with sugar. Flour is in the category of foods that are called "high glycemic," which means that they absorb quickly into the bloodstream, according to the Mayo Clinic. This provides a quick energy source for cancer cells.

Since some people eat such a high quantity of white-flour foods, cancer may have an almost endless supply of fuel, according to a study by the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Therefore, if people want to help prevent cancer, they cut back on the pancakes, breads, crackers, cookies and especially doughnuts.

Of the many dangerous foods on the market, the doughnut has been targeted as perhaps the most devastating. The doughnut may have sugar, acrylamide, white flour and hydrogenated oils.

To help avoid cancer, put down the doughnut.

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